Transmission cost opinion

niteman

niteman

New member
Got some transmission woes. The truck's in to the shop (guy I trust, not the stealer) and he's recommending replacement...bummer. It's a 94 2wd auto with just shy of 130K on the clock btw. Bound to happen sooner or later.

Here's what he's saying: $1100 after install and tax for a used unit with a relatively short (90 day) warranty. $1600+ for rebuild which he sounds like he really doesn't want to do.

Rest of the truck is in good, working shape so all things being equal I don't mind spending the $ (aside from just not really wanting to of course). 1.) Do those prices sound reasonable for the work 2.) how much faith can I have in a pulled/used tranny for long term?

P.S. - doing the work myself is unfortunately not an option as I don't have the time to work on it (two little kids and a working wife) and can't have it down any longer than necessary.

Thanks,
 
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Those prices don't sound too insane, but I think it would be stupid to pick the used over a rebuild. You really don't know what you will get from a junkyard and for a 500 dollar difference, the gamble wouldn't be worth it to me. I'm guessing he would give a better warranty on the rebuild anyways. Shop around too. Some shops do transmissions only and can give better deals. I know the mech down the street from me did a rebuild on an auto 2nd gen recently and he said he charged the guy 1200.
 
Yeah, too expensive for a used tranny. The only way I would reccomend buying a used one is if you could get one for $200-$400 from a Pull-a-part yard. And it sounds as though your time isn't going to allow you that option.

If I were going to pay much more than that, I'd make sure it was rebuilt and not someone else's problem. I've heard of used transmissions lasting 5-10 years and I've also heard of some lasting 5-10 months. For that much money, I wouldn't gamble.....
 
What's wrong with the current tranny? I had a half dozen shops tell me my tranny was toast, that was 5 years ago. I spent less than 2 bills for shift solenoids.
 
Suggest call around to reputable trans shops for cost of diagnostic test, a quote for the repair, and terms of the warranty. Might let them think you are deciding whether the cost warrants repairing a 94; they may not try and throw any unnessary items into the cost. If the trans filter has not been replaced for some time, suggest purchasing a trans filter kit, cost less than $20 and takes bout an hour. If decide to go this route, check for metal shavings, etc., get an indication how serious the problem.

Not a fan of buying used engines, or trans., especially at that price. I would be interested if the trans does not last out the warrantly whether the shop will cover the cost of installing the replacement.

Had to shop for a replacement auto console and surprise to find the number of 88-95 Toyota pickups and 4Runners in the yard. In my area, there's a chain of Pic N Pull salvage yards where you can go online and check their inventory. Although you don't have the time to pull yourself there may be a couple of laborers who could use the money and pull the trans for you, imagine that's what the transmission shop does. Anyhow, some food for thought, would be interested what you come up with, going on 200k on 90 4r and faced with the same decissions.
 
Thanks for the input guys. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning against the used tranny option. Like tundrayetti wrote, too much of a gamble for me.

I talked to a transmission shop at length earlier and they sounded reasonable for a rebuild if it needs it. They also offered to pick the truck up from my guy, test drive it, and diagnose it at no charge. He said if it did in fact need a rebuild it would be ~$1500.

What it's actually doing is vibrating/shaking when under acceleration. Start the truck everything is fine -> put in reverse, still fine -> shift into drive and proceed, shifts into 2nd and starts to vibrate/shake pretty rather noticeably from about 25mph up to 50 (haven't taken it much over 50 since noticing this) -> let off accelerator and symptoms go away -> symptom also not present when engine revved in neutral -> less noticeable while decelerating.

Once I get in touch with my mechanic, I'm going to have the truck looked at by these guys. I wish I still had all the free time I had a few years ago...
 
I would bring the truck home, jack the rear end up and place it on block and see if you can duplicate the vibration, I just wonder if it could not be a universal joint. I would add the possibility of front suspension but assume the vibration is coming from the drive train. Just did a 'do it myself' front end suspension because between 35-45mph the vibration was so bad I could not keep the truck on the road.
 
goatfarmer said:
I would bring the truck home, jack the rear end up and place it on block and see if you can duplicate the vibration, I just wonder if it could not be a universal joint. I would add the possibility of front suspension but assume the vibration is coming from the drive train. Just did a 'do it myself' front end suspension because between 35-45mph the vibration was so bad I could not keep the truck on the road.
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I agree, even if youre busy with work and stuff, it shouldn't take more than an hour to figure out if its suspension related or the actual transmission
 
a used auto tranny goes for like 250 here and its a hour install.
never get a shops used tranny they are risky the 90 warranty doesn't typically cover filter failure which is common and destroys the tranny.
 
Thanks for the input on the u joint possibility. I pick the truck up on Monday morning and will see about checking that out. That would be a dream if it was just a u joint.
 
When it comes to vehicle problems I tend to be a pessimist, I usually think the worse and if anything less then I am ready to celebrate.

Just a suggestion, but if the truck is in a general machanics shop and familiar with the shop and feel they are reputable may ask them to put the truck on the rack, while you are present, and see if there's anything obvious, sometimes if the U joint is bad there's some noticable play. If the truck does get on a rack it would be a good opportunity to take the front wheels and see if any play side to side and up and down even though probly not related. Anyhow, good luck, would be interested in the outcome, with any luck may be able to save a few $ and treat the family to dinner and a movie.
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I had the same vibrations and it was a bad U=Joint. It was so bad I had to change the driveshaft. Would only vibrate under load.
 
Dunno about Runners. My Runner is in Flagstaff with the kid. My Blazer however had a slip joint rear output shaft, so when I pulled the driveshaft the tranny fluid sprayed everywhere. But it's a good way to check to see if the tranny is the problem.
 
Went to get it from my guy this morning. Talked a bit, put it up on a rack and checked things out with him.

The u joints appear to be ok and no weirdness with the drive-shaft either. While it was up there I took the opportunity to look at the front end like was suggested and it is all pretty tight and looked good which is what I expected but was hoping for something easy lol.

The tranny shop I was planning on taking it to got some bad words from a couple good friends of mine so I'm looking into the shops they recommended. I'm still hoping it's an easy fix but not looking like it.

Anybody have any thoughts on Jasper? They got a 3 yr warranty but I'm sure they're outta this world on pricing, haven't called them yet.
 
I'd also check the bearings on the output shaft at the transfer case or even the staked nut on the on transfer case where the ujoint flange bolts on. The staked nut tends to loosen up and cause a vibration similar to a bad ujoint
 
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